Suarez's Four-Goal Haul Sends Colombia to World Cup,

Colombia stuns Venezuela 6-3

Venezuela's World Cup hopes ended with a 6-3 loss to Colombia, thanks to Luis Suarez's four-goal masterclass. Read more...

The match saw a frenetic pace, with both teams creating scoring opportunities. Josef Martínez restored Venezuela's lead...

Venezuela's World Cup dreams were shattered in a thrilling 6-3 loss to Colombia, with Luis Suarez scoring four goals to seal the win for the visitors. This defeat eliminated Venezuela from contention for the inter-confederation playoffs, a spot they had been vying for until the final matchday.

The highly anticipated match got off to an electrifying start, with three goals scored within the first 12 minutes. Telasco Segovia opened the scoring for Venezuela in the third minute, capitalizing on a neat layoff from Salomon Rondon to unleash a powerful strike that left goalkeeper Kevin Mier no chance.

Colombia's jubilation was short-lived, however, as Yerry Mina headed in James Rodriguez's corner kick to net his first international goal since June 2021. This strike not only showcased Mina's aerial prowess but also marked a significant milestone, as he became the most prolific defender in Colombian national team history with eight goals.

The match saw a frenetic pace, with both teams creating scoring opportunities. Josef Martínez restored Venezuela's lead shortly after Mina's goal, exploiting a defensive lapse to slot the ball past the goalkeeper. The first half ended with Venezuela leading 2-1, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion.

The match's momentum shifted again when Colombia goalkeeper Kevin Mier fumbled a driven shot at his post, allowing Josef Martínez to pounce on the rebound and squeeze the ball over the line. This error handed Venezuela a 2-1 lead, and the home crowd's excitement was palpable once more. The rapid change in fortunes set the stage for a thrilling encounter.

Venezuela's Josef Martínez had a chance to double his side's lead with an acrobatic bicycle kick, but his effort sailed over the crossbar, narrowly missing the target. This missed opportunity would prove costly for the hosts.

Martínez's miss was followed by Luis Suárez equalizing for Colombia on the stroke of halftime. Suárez tapped in a knockdown from Luis Díaz, showcasing his clinical finishing. This goal marked the beginning of Suárez's impressive performance, which would see him score four goals in the match.

Suárez's second-half display was nothing short of spectacular. He scored three more goals within a span of 17 minutes, leaving the Venezuelan defense struggling to contain him. His goals showcased his skill, movement, and finishing ability, ultimately leading Colombia to a 6-3 victory.

Un gran golpe de despedida 🇨🇴⚽️ #EliminatoriasSudamericanas pic.twitter.com/NsMinOCDdK

— CONMEBOL.com (@CONMEBOL) September 10, 2025

Luis Suárez gave Colombia the lead for the first time when he skillfully maneuvered inside onto his right foot and drilled a low shot past Rafael Romo. Suárez continued his impressive performance, scoring his second and third goals with a driven strike after racing onto Luis Díaz's through ball. He then completed his poker with a close-range finish, stretching Colombia's lead.

Venezuela's Salomón Rondón reduced the deficit with a goal, but Jhon Córdoba's clinical finish through Romo's legs quashed any hopes of a comeback. Córdoba's goal sealed a 6-3 victory for Colombia, dealing a crushing blow to Venezuela's World Cup aspirations.

The heavy defeat, combined with Bolivia's surprise win over Brazil, meant Venezuela dropped out of the playoff spot, ending their World Cup dreams. Colombia's third-place finish in the qualifiers will likely be seen as a positive outcome, given the team's performance in the tournament.

Venezuela's Elimination

Venezuela's loss, combined with Bolivia's 1-0 win over Brazil, meant that Bolivia secured the seventh spot and a place in the inter-confederation playoffs, dashing Venezuela's hopes of a maiden World Cup appearance.